This article is devoted to the study of the role of the present teacher in the period of transformation of the traditional education system and transition to a digital environment. The article analyzes possible ways and strategies to improve the quality of vocational teacher education in the current conditions. Particular emphasis is given to the necessity of changing the correlations between different components of teaching skills in the digital educational process, as well as the personality and professional competence of the teacher as the most important component of ensuring the success and effectiveness of the educational process in a digital learning environment. © The Authors, published by EDP Sciences, 2020.